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Simone Biles is a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, and she’s been slaying Dancing With the Stars, coasting through each round on work ethic, an athletic build, and raw natural talent.
That said, the judges still aren’t impressed with her. Yesterday, judge Carrie Ann Inaba told her that although she was improving, she danced “like a metronome” because she is so precise (???).
Then, after that nonsensical feedback, host Tom Bergeron pointed out that Biles wasn’t smiling enough at her critiques.
“Smiling doesn’t win you gold medals,” Biles clapped back, without missing a beat — and with an enormous smile on her face.
The audience broke out into “ooh”s in the same manner as a class of middle schoolers when someone is called to the office — and the Internet did as well.
"Smiling doesn't win you Gold medals." Oh Simone Biles you savage. #DWTS
— Eric Mueller (@EricJ_Mueller) May 9, 2017
Even Bergeron had to hand it to her, admitting fault and applauding Biles’ cheek.
Loved @Simone_Biles crisp response to my clumsy question. Curious how she felt about judges comments, I unwittingly added to the smile pile.
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) May 9, 2017
Biles’ critique that she wasn’t smiling enough came immediately after several performances where the judges told her she was smiling TOO much — and argued it just didn’t feel authentic. While I can’t claim to be an avid DWTS fan, I have noticed that many female dancers, Biles included, are judged as much for their facial expressions and demeanor as their footwork, no matter how perfect (too perfect!) it may be.
We will be rooting for her.
